I was born the son of Hmong refugees from Laos. Neither of my parents attended college, and growing up, I struggled with my Hmong American identity. My struggle with my Hmong American identity came from a lack of representation.
Growing up, I rarely saw Hmong American athletes, actors, musicians, or public figures whom I could look up to and see myself in. It made me question where people like me fit and whether I could achieve the things I aspired to. Like many Hmong children of refugees, I was raised to value humility and respect for elders, but those values also made it difficult to speak up or take up space. For much of my life, I believed my voice carried less weight because I was young and inexperienced.
My name is Benjamin Lee, and this is the story of how I found my voice through advocacy.
My introduction to public service came during my senior year at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), when I interned in the office of Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02). As a legislative intern, no days on the Hill were the same. I answered constituent calls, responded to letters, helped draft memos, and supported staff wherever needed. I heard firsthand from constituents seeking help with issues ranging from veterans’ benefits to Social Security services. What stayed with me most was realizing that behind every policy issue was a person turning to their representative for help. That experience showed me that public service is not just about legislation in the Capitol; it is about listening to people and helping turn their concerns into action.
That experience sparked my interest in public policy because I saw firsthand how decisions made in Washington could directly affect people’s lives. I became fascinated by the process of taking a constituent’s concern, researching the issue, working with others, and turning it into meaningful action. I was especially drawn to the human side of policy, knowing that behind every bill, memo, or policy decision were real people whose lives could be impacted by the outcome. That connection between policy and people is what made me want to pursue public service.
I had yet to advocate for a policy issue or share my own story with lawmakers, but I felt compelled to apply my newfound knowledge to benefit my community. The problem was that even though I finally understood how the system worked, I had yet to discover my place within it.
That opportunity came a year later, when I was accepted into the OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates Internship Program and placed at SEARAC.
During onboarding, I met my supervisor, Kham Moua, and was amazed to learn he was Hmong. Seeing someone from my own community leading national policy advocacy showed me that people like me could make an impact in public policy. Kham embodied the importance of representation and how an individual’s voice can inspire many others to speak up.
Despite my excitement, I struggled during my first few weeks. I was hesitant to ask questions and often doubted myself. Recognizing this, Kham encouraged me to become more engaged and reminded me that asking questions was an essential part of learning. I remember him explaining that, in our culture, we are not always taught to speak up, but that at SEARAC, I should feel comfortable amplifying my voice, participating in conversations, and asking questions. His words stayed with me, and over time, I found the confidence to speak up.
Much of my internship centered on supporting SEARAC’s annual Leadership and Advocacy Training (LAT). I researched federal legislation, analyzed AANHPI demographic data, drafted congressional leave-behinds, and scheduled meetings with congressional offices on issues including education, health, and immigration.
On July 10, 2026, the OCA internship program hosted its own Advocacy Day. This was the moment I became an advocate.
Alongside my fellow OCA interns, I met with California congressional offices to advocate for H.R. 8975, the All Students Count Act of 2026. I shared my experiences navigating the K–12 education system as a Hmong American student and explained how the lack of disaggregated data leaves Southeast Asian American students overlooked in conversations about educational equity.
That experience changed me. I realized that if I spoke up about the injustices I faced, my story could help bring other Hmong students out of the shadows. I saw that advocacy wasn’t something reserved for elected officials or policy experts; it began with vulnerability, with people willing to share their lived experiences.
A week later, I participated in SEARAC’s Leadership and Advocacy Training (LAT). After weeks of preparing congressional meetings and advocacy materials, I joined Southeast Asian American advocates from across the country on Capitol Hill. What stood out to me most was hearing attendees in the immigration group, including those from my own hometown, share their families’ experiences and the immigration issues affecting their communities. Seeing people from the place I grew up come together to advocate for issues that directly affected their families made the work feel deeply personal. LAT’s success and the participants’ enthusiasm amplified the part of me that wanted to share, to speak up, and to do so proudly.
While as a Hill intern, I was the one responding to constituent concerns, at SEARAC I was on the other side of the table working as an advocate. LAT showed me how powerful it felt to be a part of an organized community seeking change. Experiencing both sides deepened my understanding of how people can have an effect on their governance and influence public policy.
Looking back, my summer at SEARAC was about discovering my own voice. When I first arrived, I was hesitant to ask questions and unsure whether I belonged in advocacy spaces. I was more comfortable working behind the scenes, helping prepare materials, organizing meetings, and supporting others who were more experienced and confident. By the end of the summer, I had advocated with members of Congress, helped organize SEARAC’s Leadership and Advocacy Training, and shared my own experiences in rooms full of people. I realized that I did belong in those spaces, and that my voice and experiences were worth sharing.
My journey through Capitol Hill, OCA, and SEARAC taught me that advocacy is not about having the loudest voice; it is about having the courage to use it on behalf of others.
Benjamin Lee (he/him) SEARAC’s Summer 2026 Policy Intern through the OCA Internship Program. Benjamin is a recent graduate of UCLA, where he earned his degree in Political Science with a concentration in American Politics. A first-generation Hmong American from California’s Central Valley, Benjamin’s passion for public service and educational equity stems from his own experiences navigating higher education as the first in his family to attend college.